Warmth and Comfort in a Bowl of Tinola 

When the weather's cold, it's a great time for sipping some sabaw. It's like liquid comfort. The taste of broth and glides smoothly down the throat is a nostalgic feeling. There are many Filipino dishes that has a flavorful sabaw. There's one that stands out from the rest which is Tinola. It's a chicken soup dish that has hints of ginger and fish sauce. It's a pure Filipino classic that's a favorite during the rainy weather. 

Memories of tinola usually involves a hazy early morning of suspended classes or a warm dinner with the family on a chilly night or a sick day spent in bed with your mother feeding you sips of the broth. Tinola invokes warmth and comfort, it's scent and taste bringing such sweet feelings. If your parents had cooked it, you can immediately feel the love in every sip. If you need some love in the form of food, cook tinola for yourself and your loved ones. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 whole chicken, cut into serving pieces
• 3 cups water
• 1 green papaya, cut into wedges
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger, sliced
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 cups malunggay leaves
• Pepper to taste

Steps:

1. In a pot, heat oil over medium heat and saute garlic, onion, and ginger.
2. Add the chicken and cook until light brown.
3. Pout water and fish sauce. Cover and let simmer for 45 minutes. Add water as needed.
4. Add green papaya. Cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add malunggay leaves and distribute evenly. Cook for 1 minute.
6. Season with pepper to taste.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!

A similar recipe can be found in Panlasang Pinoy. Ingredients can be sourced from My Tindahan. Photo from Panlasang Pinoy.